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Are Your Drivers Driving Up the Cost of Your Commercial Towing Insurance?

The risks involved in professionally operating a tow truck are much greater than the risks of operating a personal vehicle. For this reason, it should come as no surprise that premiums for your towing operation will be higher, simply due to the exposure.

But did you know that the drivers you employ and their respective driving histories play a fundamental role in the underwriting process and in calculating your premium? Below, we’ll cover what you need to look for when hiring drivers that can rate up your premiums, or even prevent you from getting coverage.

Red flags

Drivers with serious infractions on their MVRs within the last 36 months, can significantly drive up the cost of your insurance policy. While the specifics of individual insurance policies vary, the following are the types of violations that will raise a giant red flag with you and your respective insurer:

• DUIs/DWIs
• Driving while license is suspended or revoked
• Possession of controlled substances or open containers
• Felonies involving a motor vehicle
• Failure to report an accident or leaving the scene of an accident, regardless of damages
• Passing a stopped school bus
• Speeding in a school zone
• Speeding 20 miles or more over the posted speed limit
• Reckless or careless driving

Besides obvious infractions, many insurance companies will consider the number of years of driving experience, and in some cases, specific tow truck operating experience that your drivers must have in order to be covered under your insurance policy. They may also want to know if any of your drivers have Commercial Driverss Licenses (CDL).

Drivers who are in possession of a CDL are considered a true asset to your business due to their training, and insurers look favorably on the number of commercially licensed drivers you hire. This in turn has a direct (and overwhelmingly positive) effect on the cost of your insurance policy.

Safeguarding your business

To ensure you’re not exposing yourself to unnecessary risks, make it a routine to obtain a copy of every potential employee’s motor vehicle report (MVR) before you hire them. This should be a standard best business practice for any type of towing operation, regardless of the type (salvage, recovery, impound, roadside assistance/motor clubs, repossessions, etc.).

An easy way to see what’s on a potential hires MVR is by calling your insurer and asking them to run a report. To do this, you’ll need the person’s driver’s license number and date of birth (typically found on their job application). Depending on your state laws, the insurer may not be able to legally disclose the specific findings of the driving report, but inform you if the individual has a desirable or undesirable driving history.

Keep in mind that if you do opt to hire someone with a questionable driving history, your insurance carrier may decide to file a driver exclusion form, prohibiting that individual from operating any company vehicles covered under your policy until which time specific infractions fall off the MVR. However, you must adhere to the exclusion. If you don’t, you’re putting your business and future insurability at risk.
Carefully screening employees and making well informed hiring decisions guarantees better insurance rates and greater long-term savings for your towing business.

At Tow Truck Insurance HQ we can help you get the best deal on your policy by bringing 3 tow truck insurance brokers to you to compete for your business.